For all upcoming events please see the Penguin District School Calendar

Olympic fever has gripped the nation – and Penguin District School is no different.  There are Olympic themed activities and learning occurring all over the school from the Kinder classrooms to the Year 11/12 Hub.  The 7-12 Home Group Classes have all adopted a country to support and track during the Olympics. Bunting and flags, with medal tallies and event schedules are being displayed across the secondary classrooms.

7A: Brazil

7B: Germany

7C: United States of America

8A: Italy

8B: Australia

8C: Netherlands

9A: Jamaica

9B: Canada

9C: People's Republic of China

10A: France

10B: Great Britain

11/12: Japan

It’s great to hear students discussing sports and countries they may not have normally been interested in, or familiar with. Mrs Van Essen organised a Secondary PDS Olympics, where the Home Group countries competed for gold in events like bottle flipping and cotton ball shot put.

Mega-events, like the Olympics, are an ideal focal point for learning schemes and for improving levels of aspiration and achievement. The fundamental principles behind the Olympics are based on the celebration of both body and mind, explicitly joining sport with culture and education.

The Olympics provides an opportunity for setting new goals, encouraging broader involvement in projects, getting young people learning about other cultures, as well as picking up on relevant practical skills.  The Olympics provides us an opportunity to celebrate success, but also to celebrate effort. It also provides high-profile, imagination-seizing, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Watching the emotional roller-coaster of the athletes provides us with moments which can be used as platforms for connection and reflection for young people. Experiencing success and disappointment is part of life, and seeing our sports heroes work through this can inspire us to do the same. 

According to the International Olympic Committee - The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

One of our values, and the focus value for the term, is responsibility.  When you are cheering on inspiring athletes in Paris – reflect on the fact that they are where they are because they have taken responsibility for their journey. They've taken responsibility through goal setting,  sacrifice, training and commitment – working to be the best that they can be.  While we won’t all win a gold medal at the Olympics, we can all take responsibility for our learning and work at being the best human we can be.

Yours in partnership

Geoff Davis

Mr Perry had a lovely surprise this afternoon with a visit from Prep A. In recognition of Primary Principal Day, the class presented him with a beautiful, handmade card adorned with portraits of him, including their handwritten names. (And some chocolates!)

Our school celebrated the Australian Olympians of 2024 by participating in Green and Gold Day today Friday, August 2.  It was fabulous to see so many students all dressed in green and gold.  Let’s go Aussie Oi Oi Oii!

Kinder A have started the term strongly with some investigating into science. We have started with floating and sinking, firstly exploring and then recording our findings. We have also been focusing on observational drawing so our drawings are recognisable. We are also practising asking questions so we can get the most out of our science investigations, and hopefully lead us into an inquiry!

We have had a settled start to the term and have enjoyed catching up on everyone’s school holiday adventures.

We are back to learning and some interesting inquiries. Prep A is currently exploring movement through magnets and construction of boats. Prep B has been inquiring into the needs of living things and special places in our environment.

Our focus value this term is ‘Responsibility’. We have been practising responsibility during inquiry time, in particular, looking after our resources and returning things after we have finished using them.

You may have noticed our ‘Maker Space’ in the entry to Prep B? We invite parents to collect and bring in anything that the children may use to build, construct and craft with. For example: egg cartons, ribbon and wool scraps, straws, broken parts off toys and household objects, loose parts like beads buttons and pegs, and items from nature.  

Primary Health

Students have started the term learning about the Olympic Games and what the meaning of the games are. In the EC classes, we have found out what the Olympic Rings symbolise (Ask your child for the answer). In the Primary Classes, students have begun researching an Olympic Athlete from another country and how they can be role models for younger people. We have also entered a National Competition where we have designed a new soccer ball, with the theme focusing on ‘Supporting Australia’. Check out the great designs!

Design a Soccer Ball Competition: Design a Football School Competition | SUMMIT Sport – SUMMITSPORT

Year 10 Health

Students have been working hard developing a Road Safety Campaign and advertisements that they think is important here in Tasmania. We will be viewing the masterpieces the students have created next week!

Year 7 Health

Students have just completed their final assessments for our Relationships and Sexuality unit. Students have been learning about understanding Respectful Relationships, Consent and Reproductive Systems. Our culminating tasks were putting our Teen Doctor hat on and responding to scenarios in a professional manner.

Secondary PE

Students have been completing their Fitness Testing and making comparisons to previous years. We will soon move into our Dance unit later in the term.

As per the 2024 Reporting and Communicating Requirements, schools must provide an opportunity for a 2 or 3-way conversation focusing on learning progress, application to learning, wellbeing and/or learning plan goals. For our secondary students, this will occur on the evening of August 6, 3:00 - 7:00pm.  Parents/guardians can book a time slot for a face-to-face meeting or a phone call via session keeper. Please note in the comments of your booking if this is a face-to-face or phone meeting. Teaching staff will also be actively connecting with selected student’s families during this time.  

https://penguinds.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/37 

On Friday 9^th of August, the students participating in Write a Book in a Day are running a fundraising event to raise money to cover the entry fee for this event. All PDS students are encouraged to wear a beanie for a gold coin donation. Students will also be able to purchase a hot chocolate from the canteen before school. Hot chocolates will cost $3. Hot Chocolates can be ordered through the Qkr App or purchased at the canteen on the day.

We are excited about presenting our production ‘Beauty and the Beast – A Bloomin’ Good Tale’ at the Ulverstone theatre in Term 4 2024.

Our next order for production t-shirts and hoodies for staff and students will be placed when we have recieved at least 30 orders. The shirts will be black and hoodies will be black or blue with the production logo on the front and the option of first name, surname or character name on the back. The cost of the t-shirt is $27. The cost of the hoodies is $60 or $65 with name.

T-shirts and hoodies can be worn to rehearsals, casual clothes days and outside of school.

Band members, backstage crew and ushers are encouraged, where possible, to wear the production t-shirt as part of their outfit for shows (plain black clothing is required if this t-shirt is not purchased).

Orders can be made via the Qkr.

Penguin District School are pleased to advise that we have the opportunity for Anglicare’s Taz Kids program to run a Taz Kids Club in our school in Term 4.

Taz kids is a program that supports children and their families where a parent or guardian might struggle with their mental wellbeing. It is designed for students whose parents or guardians might sometimes struggle emotionally, feel depressed, anxious or experience any other mental health concerns. The group aims to help young people learn how to cope with difficulties in life and build stress tolerance. It assists in understanding and managing their feelings, and promotes resilience.

Taz Kids Club is aimed at children in Years 2 – 6 and will run for seven weeks. Each session is filled with games and learning activities.

The Program is free and confidential.

For more information or to express your interest please contact Susan Broadby on 64 342222 or a Taz Kids Worker by phoning Anglicare on 1800 243 232.